Baltic Hermetique Dual Time Enduropale

The Baltic Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale, a watch that seemingly screams rugged adventure, and is tightly bound with the spirit of a legendary motorcycle race. This isn't just another timepiece; it's a collaboration that brings together Baltic's watchmaking skill with the gritty, adrenaline-fueled world of the Enduropale du Touquet. This race, born half a century ago from the mind of Thierry Sabine, gathers thousands of riders to battle it out on the beach of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France, in a grueling three-hour test of endurance. It's an event where simply crossing the finish line is considered a victory.



Baltic, a relatively young watch brand, has quickly carved out a niche for itself by offering thoughtfully designed, vintage-inspired watches that don't break the bank. The brand's ethos centers on accessible luxury, creating timepieces with an emphasis on quality, clean aesthetics, and a nod to classic watchmaking traditions. Baltic started with an as-found collection of watches from the founder's father. The company has been growing rapidly ever since, with Baltic known for their classic designs. They've steadily built a loyal following, becoming known for their attention to detail and value proposition. The Hermétique line itself represents Baltic's take on the versatile "field watch" – robust, legible, and ready for anything.



Now, the Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale isn't just a standard Hermétique with a new coat of paint. This limited edition of 200 pieces is specifically designed to echo the aesthetics and intensity of the Enduropale race. The most striking feature is the internal rotating bezel, a vibrant splash of color that immediately sets it apart. It's not just for show; the bezel is color-coded to reflect the race's duration. The first two hours are marked in a vibrant turquoise green, transitioning to a bold purple for the final hour. This is a direct homage to the motocross bikes of the 1990s, a time when bright, almost neon colors dominated the racing scene. A subtle checkered pattern on the bezel nods to the Enduropale's official logo, further linking the watch to its racing heritage.



The 37mm case, constructed from durable 316L stainless steel, feels like a modern sweet spot in size – substantial enough to feel robust, yet comfortable on a variety of wrist sizes. It features a mix of finishes: horizontal brushing on the case sides, circular brushing on the lugs, and a polished bezel. This careful attention to detail adds a touch of visual refinement, elevating it beyond a purely utilitarian tool watch. A notable design choice is the use of two integrated crowns, one at the traditional 3 o'clock position and another at 9 o'clock. This not only adds a unique visual symmetry, but also offers practicality – you can comfortably wear the watch on either wrist. The double-domed sapphire crystal is another sign of quality, providing both scratch resistance and a pleasing visual distortion that's reminiscent of vintage acrylic crystals.



The dial itself is all about legibility, a core principle of any good field watch. It's finished in a matte grey, providing a neutral backdrop that allows the hour markers and hands to pop. The applied hour markers are generously filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9, a luminescent material that glows brightly in low-light conditions. The "syringe" style hour hand is polished steel, while the minute hand is painted green, both also treated with Super-LumiNova®. This combination of applied markers, contrasting hand colors, and ample lume ensures the watch remains easy to read, even in the chaos of a race environment or, more realistically, a dimly lit room.



Inside the Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale ticks the Miyota 9039, a Japanese-made automatic movement. Baltic's choice of the Miyota 9039 is a pragmatic one. It's a reliable, workhorse movement known for its robustness and accuracy. It's a "no-date" movement, which keeps the dial clean and uncluttered, and it boasts a 42-hour power reserve, meaning you can take it off for a day or two without it stopping. While not a high-end, in-house caliber, the Miyota 9039 is a solid, dependable choice that helps keep the watch accessible in terms of price.



The watch's profile is impressively slim, measuring just 10.8mm thick, including the double-domed sapphire crystal (and a mere 8.3mm without it). This, combined with the 46mm lug-to-lug measurement, makes for a watch that wears exceptionally well on the wrist. It slips easily under a cuff and doesn't feel bulky or cumbersome. The lug width is 20mm, a common size that opens up a world of possibilities for strap changes.



Speaking of straps, the Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale comes standard with a turquoise FKM rubber strap in a classic "Tropic" style. FKM rubber is known for its durability, resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures, and overall comfort. It's a perfect choice for a watch designed to withstand harsh conditions. For those who prefer a different look, Baltic also offers the watch with a black FKM rubber strap or a stainless steel bracelet – either a "beads of rice" or a "flat link" style – for an additional cost.



The watch boasts a water resistance of 150 meters (15 ATM), which is more than sufficient for everyday wear and even recreational diving. This rating reinforces the Hermétique's positioning as a true go-anywhere, do-anything watch. It's not just a pretty face; it's built to handle some abuse.



The dual-crown design is an interesting feature, with one crown at 3 o’clock for setting the time and winding the movement, and the other at 9 o'clock controlling the internal rotating bezel. This configuration allows for a cleaner case design and protects the crowns from accidental knocks. The internal bezel itself is bidirectional, and smooth to rotate.



The Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale is clearly a "tool watch," but it's done with a level of refinement that makes it more versatile than many watches in that category. The thoughtful design elements, like the mix of brushed and polished surfaces, the applied indices, and the comfortable case dimensions, make it a watch that can easily transition from a weekend adventure to a more casual workplace setting.



The Miyota 9039 movement also features a stop-second function, also known as "hacking," which means the second hand stops when you pull out the crown to set the time. This allows for precise time synchronization.



The integrated crowns contribute to the overall sleekness of the design. Their placement and the way they blend into the case lines give the watch a very streamlined profile.



The Hermétique Dual Time Enduropale is priced at €600.00 (excluding VAT), with the stainless steel bracelet options adding an extra €65. This places it squarely in the realm of affordable, high-quality microbrand watches. Considering the specifications, the unique design elements, and the limited edition nature of the watch, it represents a compelling value proposition. Availability is, of course, limited to the 200 pieces produced, making it a fairly exclusive piece for those who manage to snag one. This watch feels like a genuine collaboration, a meeting of minds between a brand passionate about watchmaking and an event steeped in motorsport history.



Case: 316L Stainless steel, 37mm diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, 10.8mm thick (8.3mm without glass), 20mm lug width. Double dome sapphire crystal, internal anti-reflective coating. Water resistant to 150m (15ATM). Two integrated crowns.

Movement: Miyota 9039, automatic winding, 42-hour power reserve, stop second function.

Dial: Matte grey finish. Super-LumiNova® BGW9 on hour appliques and internal bezel indexes. Polished steel "syringe" hour hand, green painted minute hand, both with Super-LumiNova®. Internal bidirectional bezel.

Strap: Tropic FKM Turquoise, or FKM Black, or Stainless Steel Bracelet (+ €65, flat links or beads of rice).

Price: €600.00

Notes: Limited edition of 200 pieces. Celebrates partnership with the Enduropale motorcycle race. Internal bezel colored to match race duration: turquoise green for first two hours, purple for the last.